The Great British Bake Off has returned for its 16th series, with Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond back as hosts. This week’s episode focuses on chocolate, but the competition is set to feature a diverse range of baking talent across the season.
Among the contestants is Aaron, who fuses French patisserie with Caribbean flair and is currently experimenting with Asian flavours like miso and yuzu. Iain combines his love of live music with sourdough, immortalising album cover art on crusts and often using fermented fruits and vegetables. Jasmine, who works in medicine, uses baking as a creative outlet and enjoys fresh, seasonal ingredients in classic combinations.
Lesley, a hairdresser of 45 years, has been baking since she was 10, inspired by her grandmother and aunt. Nadia, influenced by her Italian chef father, brings rustic charm to her bakes; she said she “never in a million years” thought she would get on the show, and had to hold in her scream while at work. Nataliia follows traditional recipes from her grandmother, infusing British bakes with honey, poppy seeds, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Toby takes a stripped-back, healthy approach and bakes something different every day, while Tom, who stepped back from his advertising agency, reconnected with baking and brings creative flair to his presentation. Jessika’s love language is gifting baked goods, with signature flavours like salted mango caramel and dark chocolate mousse; when not baking, she skates, cycles or performs as a drag king. Pui Man, a wedding dress designer, rediscovered baking during lockdown and enjoys knitting with a pint. Leighton plays with Welsh, British and American flavours, and Hassan, a scientist, takes an analytical approach inspired by his Pakistani heritage, favouring praline and nut-based flavours.
